rong in joining the young people in their innocent amusements."
Advised by my mother my aunt purchased a new bonnet of quite modern style
and a shawl to match, both to be worn to a picnic which was to be held
in a beautiful grove near our village. When she brought home her
purchases I laughingly told her if any young lady we might meet on our
homeward journey should enquire their price she could easily satisfy her
curiosity, as the purchase was of such recent date. "I am sure of one
thing," replied my aunt, "if we meet the same young lady we met on our
way here, she won't ask me the price of my bonnet. I don't know after all
but her remark did me good, for it set me thinking how long I have had
this old bonnet, and I believe it was time for me to buy a new one."

The holidays were nearly over and we must soon return to our respective
duties. Charley Gray and I had fully enjoyed the time we passed
together. I fancied that contact with the world had blunted the keen
edge of Charley's nature; for, during all the time we passed together, I
saw nothing of the peculiar disposition which had so often been a source
of trouble, even when we were mere children. I suppose it must have been
that nothing called it forth, for his old enemy still remained in his
heart, but so genial and pleasant was he that I really indulged the hope
when we parted that his nature was undergoing a change.

During my visit at Elmwood I once met with Farmer Judson. Any resentment
I might once have cherished toward him had long since died out, and,
having lost all fear of the crusty farmer, I accosted him pleasantly,
and offered him my hand. The man felt ashamed to refuse taking the hand
so freely offered; but his grasp was certainly not very cordial; and,
with a few words, which, if they had meaning, were uttered in too low
a voice to be intelligible, he passed on his way. As I gazed after his
retreating form I could not fail to mark the change which a year had
wrought in his appearance. His step was far less brisk than formerly,
his hair was fast turning gray, and I fancied that his countenance wore
even a more unhappy and discontented look than usual. I was then too
young to understand what I have since known that his dissatisfied
expression was caused by his having failed to find happiness in the
possession of worldly wealth, and as yet he had not learned to seek
happiness from any other source.

The time soon came when we must bid a reluctant adieu